MUSC Children's Hospital volunteer group to distribute funds

CHARLESTON -- Four projects have been approved for funding via monies earned through the MUSC Children's Hospital license plate project. It's been five months almost to the day since the MUSC Children's Hospital Volunteer Advisory Committee announced a new license plate that would raise funds for needed programs at the Lowcountry's premier pediatric hospital. The MUSC Children's Hospital license plate is available through the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms.aspx or at local DMV offices.

The funded projects include:

• Ozzie's Project - ($3,900) - Funds will be used to provide isolation patients with laptops and web cameras, therapeutic resources, and toys. MUSC Information Technology will assist in providing technical support, including the ability to link isolation patients with patients playing in the Atrium.

• Bereavement program - ($1,800) Funds will be used to purchase 65 bereavement packages for the families of children who have passed.

• Cleft palate bears - ($500) Funds will support bears for 48 children (most severe cases). This is a pilot study to fully evaluate the impact of the bears. A survey tool will evaluate the bears' effectiveness.
Sometimes people are skeptical about donating money to organizations if they are unsure how much of that money will actually go to the cause. Of the $50 required to purchase the plate, $42 goes to the Children's Hospital. Supporters can donate each year when they renew the use of the license plate along with their vehicle registration.
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About MUSC Children's Hospital

MUSC Children's Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric medical centers in the Southeastern United States. An extensive network of caring professionals, entirely devoted to the health and well-being of children, are driven by a commitment to adaptability and outcome accountability. A women and infants specialty service allows mothers and their children to room together after birth, and promotes the overall health of mother and child together. Respect, dignity, information sharing, participation and collaboration are among our core values. As a result, MUSC Children's Hospital has earned top rankings from Child magazine and American Health Magazine. In 2008, U.S. News & World Report ranked the pediatric heart program among the top 20 in America, and we continue to offer the only pediatric research facility in the southeast with the Darby Children's Research Institute. For more information about MUSC Children's Hospital, visit www.musckids.com or www.muschealth.com.